Rick Ray - Insanity Flies
	Released: 2001 Label: Neurosis Records Cat. No.: Total Time: 59:03
	Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, February 2002 Insanity Flies is an interesting play on words; for that matter so is Neurosis Records. When I see titles of CDs and labels of this nature I can relate, and it also gives me a good chuckle. I can recount the insanity of life in today's world, and how artists like Rick Ray are talking to us through their music, telling us that it all can be conveyed via a screaming guitar or well placed lyric. It's a given that the media captures our imaginations and makes us think, it's not such a universal belief that music is the most powerful tool available to create such a buzz. I believe it is that powerful. As I was listening to Ray's music through the first four tracks, I couldn't help but notice how he sounded like a softer Alice Cooper in the way he was delivering a song. He doesn't always sound that way, just on some cuts. I did however like everything that I heard. He teeters on the edges of progressive and flat out rock for nearly the entirety of this album until track eleven, "Eyes, Lies And Spies," which is an startling jazz-rock fusion progressive morsel. He should seriously considering getting into more jazz-rock-fusion, he plays it like he owns it. His concept is one of a world gone mad with a hard dose of reality in the center of each song. The music is merely a springboard for his omnipotent message. This is high geared music with a definite purpose. With songs titled "Thought Invaders" you will step back for a moment and really listen to what this guy is trying to say. On the inner sleeve of the CD, where the track listing is, it reads "The prophecies in the book of Revelation are taking place. Get your life together." One look back at 9/11/01 and that about puts everything into proper perspective. It's only rock and roll right? I don't think so. Rick Ray is a stunning guitar virtuoso that should be heard by anyone that likes to rock or is appreciative of the flexibility of the guitar's abilities in the realm of any genre. This was a very impressive album with an eye popping message. [See also Steph's review -ed.] More about Insanity Flies: Track Listing: The Glass Man (6:37) / Guitartichoke (4:20) / Missing Silhouettes (2:01) / Killing Pawns (4:44) / Power Gone Mad (4:52) / Thought Invaders (5:32) / They've Created A Monster (6:28) / Beyond Belief (4:17) / Any More? (5:16) / Insanity Flies (4:59) / Eyes, Lies and Spies (7:51) / Nothing Is Right (2:06) Musicians: Rick Ray - guitars (and probably everything else) Rick Schultz - clarinet Contact: Website: communities.msn.com/GuitaristRickRay Note: will open new browser window Email: hobbelschnimp@hotmail.com Discography Abnormal Road (1999) Balance of Power (1999) The Great Antagonist (1999) Clone Man (1999) Atomic Soldiers (1999) Neurotic Tendencies (1999) You People (1999) Looking Into the Past (1999) The Key to the Bottomless Pit (1999) Cast Into Our Dimension (2000) Living In An Insane World (2000) Mind Control, Inc. (2000) Guitarsenal (2000) Manipulated DNA (2001) Insanity Flies (2001) Existing Passages (2002) The Guitarsonist (2002) Rick Ray Band - Into The Hands Of Sinners (2003) Rick Ray Band - Out Of The Mist Of Obscurity (2003) Rick Ray Band - Night Of The Living Dedicated (2004) Chainsaw Manicure (2005) Rick Ray Band - Temporary World (2005)
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